Ife clash: Court to decide suspects’ bail on Friday

The bail application for Oba Ademola Ademiluyi, Pastor Taiwo Fakowajo and four other suspects, who are on trial in connection with the Ile-Ife clash of March 8, 2017 is expected to be determined on Friday (today) by Justice Kudirat Akano of the Osun State High Court.

The judge had on April 28 ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody and the defence counsel, Mr. Wale Olawoyin (SAN), raised the issue of bail application on Wednesday when the trial started but the judge did not deliver her ruling on it.

Olawoyin told the court that the bail application of his clients was still pending and his clients were awaiting the judge’s ruling on it.

While addressing journalists outside the courtroom, the defence counsel stated that the judge would likely decide on the bail application on Friday.

He said, “The application for bail was argued yesterday (Wednesday) and the court has indicated that ruling will be delivered on it tomorrow (Friday).”

The prosecution witness, Nasri Malami, had on Wednesday while giving his evidence, told the court that one of the suspects, simply identified as Fakowajo, shot and killed one Salmon Mohammed in his presence.

He also testified that some of those, who attacked Hausa residents at Sabo, Ile-Ife, during the clash wore masks.

However, Prosecution Witness 2, Abubakar Muntari, while being cross-examined on Thursday, said those that attacked him and his Hausa kinsmen did not wear masks.

The prosecutor, Mr. Simon Lough, said he had lined up nine witnesses, adding that he could call more witnesses depending on the situation.

The judge adjourned hearing in the matter till Friday.

It will be recalled that the police arrested 21 suspects all of whom are Yoruba, following the clash which left 45 persons dead and properties worth several millions of naira destroyed.

Following persistent condemnations which trailed the one-sided arrests, some of the suspects were freed and six suspects were brought down to Osogbo from Abuja.